PERIKATAN Nasional’s (PN) statement that it will file a petition if Pakatan Harapan (PH) wins the Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) state by-election was clearly issued to intimidate voters, said PH Youth information chief Ammar Atan.
Calling Takiyuddin a “failed lawyer”, Ammar said the statement was indication that the Kota Bharu MP did not understand the weight of his allegations.
“It is unethical to intimidate KKB voters ahead of the by-election this Saturday. If PN has solid evidence that there had been violations of election rules by PH, Takiyuddin should have lodged a report with the Election Commission (EC),” Ammar said in a statement on Wednesday (May 8).
“The threat to file a petition if PN loses is clear evidence that the coalition does not want voters to go out to vote and exercise their rights. This is a despicable practice and can only be described as voter suppression or voter intimidation.”
Ammar said Takiyuddin’s “warning” was an insult to the country’s parliamentary democracy system.
“You have stooped too low. Under the Election Offences Act 1954, there is already a clear list of electoral offences so why do you still need to create chaos and confusion?” he asked.
“We would like to remind PN and Takiyuddin that the unity government’s candidate for the KKB state seat, Pang Sock Tao, is not like PAS candidates Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim and Che Alias Hamid who had had their GE15 victories annulled by the Terengganu Election Court last year due to elements of bribery present during their respective election campaigns.”
In GE15, Ahmad Amzad won the Kuala Terengganu seat with a 40,907 vote-majority while Che Alias won the Kemaman seat with a 27,179 vote-majority.
“Doesn’t PAS, who had previously been involved in election fraud, have no shame, spreading slander in this manner?” Ammar asked. – May 8, 2024
Main pic credit: Bernama
